It is a traditional Piedmontese song (the text of which is presented here however shows a mixture of literary Italian). Who was King Gilardin? "King Gilardin cannot be traced back to a historical person. He is rather a mythical figure, who populates the rich tradition of European ballads. The history of the king, who returns home dying and whose death is hidden, appears in various ballads (p .es. Comte Arnau / Le Roi Renaud) and is possibly of Scandinavian or Breton origin.